Study on Ultrasonic Vibration in Gas and Optimization of a Novel Process of EDM

The aim of this study is to investigate the machining characteristics of ultrasonic vibration assisted electrical discharge machining (EDM) process using gas media as the dielectric fluids. The process parameters were designed based on Taguchi method to conduct the experimental works. The main process parameters such as machining polarity, peak current, pulse duration, air pressure, working time, and servo reference voltage were chosen to determine their effects on machining performance in terms of material removal rate and surface roughness for SKD 61 tool steels. The experimental response values were transferred to signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios, and then the significant machining parameters associated with the machining performance were examined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Therefore, the technique of ultrasonic vibration assisted EDM process in gas media was established with the concerning features related to environmentally friendly, high efficiency, and high machining quality to fit the demands of modern manufacturing applications.